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OMYF Grant Funding Restrictions & Guidelines

THE ORLANDO MAGIC YOUTH FOUNDATION
A Fund of the McCormick Tribune Foundation

Mission Statement
The Orlando Magic Youth Foundation (OMYF) is committed to helping every child in Central Florida realize their full potential, especially those most at risk, by supporting programs and partnerships that empower families and change lives.

History
The Orlando Magic Youth Foundation was founded in 1988 and in 1994 became a fund of the McCormick Tribune Foundation. It is truly a team effort by Magic players, coaches, staff and the DeVos Family, in partnership with our season ticket holders, corporate sponsors, fans and the community. Since inception, the OMYF has positively impacted more than one million children. Through private donations, fund-raising events and contributions from the Orlando Magic and our ownership group, more than $13 million has been raised and distributed to non-profits that support our mission statement.

McCormick Tribune Foundation
The McCormick Tribune Foundation contributes 50 cents for every dollar that the OMYF generates to supplement contributions in the partners’ local communities. The McCormick Tribune Foundation was originally established as a charitable trust from the founder of the Tribune Company. The Foundation establishes philanthropic relationships, called fund partnerships, with select high-profile businesses that are committed to ‘giving’.

Geographic Areas of Support
Primary - Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties
Secondary - Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Polk and Volusia counties.

FUNDING GUIDELINES
OMYF accepts grant applications from 501(c)3 or 170(c)(1) non-profit organizations in the Central Florida area that support our mission and address a community outreach priority and meet the following criteria:

Community Outreach Priorities

  • Literacy & Educational Programs
    Children and Family literacy programs
    Academic enrichment programs
    After-school tutoring programs
    Arts based programs that provide educational enrichment

  • Prevention Programs
    Child Abuse
    Programs designed to inhibit the incidence of risk-related behavior among young people, such as substance abuse, violence, teenage pregnancy and crime

  • Early Childhood Development
    Quality child care for low-income families
    Parenting education
    Early intervention services for developmentally delayed and disabled children

  • Basic Needs
    Clothing, food and shelter

  • Health & Wellness Programs
    Nutrition and Exercise programs to educate youth on how to live a healthy lifestyle and help curb and prevent obesity

  • Diversity Programs
    Programs that instill values and morals to treat people of all backgrounds with respect

  • Other priorities
    On occasion, the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation may consider and recommend grants not included on the Community Outreach Priorities list of the program guidelines.

    APPLICATION PROCEDURES

  • Must complete the OMYF application in its entirety and submit all additional materials required as part of the application process by July 9, 2007.
  • Three (3) complete copies of the application and supporting materials must be submitted. Organizations must use the application form provided – similar versions created on a computer are not accepted. Most frequently, grants range from $5,000 to $50,000.
  • There is no guarantee of annual support. Generally, grantees will not receive more than three consecutive annual grants. Starting in 2006, agencies will be asked to sit out from consideration for one year after their third consecutive year of funding.
  • Agencies requesting for a grant after having been funded the previous year will be subject to a post-grant review process.
    Organizational/Funding Criteria
  • Must be non-profit and qualify as a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)3 or 170(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code, having sustained such status for at least 12 months prior to the date of this application.
  • The program for which funds are being sought must administer services to low-income, at-risk children or families.
  • At-risk children defined as one or all of the following: physically, emotionally, and/or economically disadvantaged.
  • Low-income determined through income qualification screening, for programs connected to schools the percentage of kids receiving services who are on free or reduced meals, or some other mechanism to indicate poverty.
  • A minimum of 75% of the clients served must be low-income.
  • Must have a general membership that is open to all segments of the community.
  • Must use all funds to serve clients who live in primary or secondary geographic areas.
    Financial Health of Organization
  • Must have an operating deficit less than 10% of its income.
  • Must not spend more than 30% of its operating budget on administrative and fund-raising expenses.
  • Must not have a negative net asset position that is more than 10% of its income.
  • Must have an annual operating budget of $75,000 or more.
  • Must have at least a 2-3 year operating history.

    Religious Organizations
    Religious organizations that provide a needed non-religious service that is available to any segment of the population are eligible. Programs that have any religious components are not eligible for funding.

    Trucks/Vans
    The purpose of the truck/van must fit within the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation guidelines and it must be for capacity building (somehow expanding the program – serving a new county, additional clients, etc.). The requesting organizations must show that it can maintain the vehicle and three (3) sales quotes.
    Funding Restrictions
  • Applicant organization cannot be a government agency.
  • Must not serve primarily as a service club, fraternal, political, veterans or business organization.
  • Organization cannot be a public school.
  • If requesting program support, the program cannot operate during school hours.
  • A fiscal agent relationship will not be considered.
  • Cannot fund the salary of a Development position or an Executive Director.
  • Cannot support any fund-raising expenses or special events.
  • The children who will be the recipients of the funds must live in the geographic area defined in the OMYF program guidelines.
  • National organizations cannot request “general support”.
  • Cannot offer funding for research.

    OMYF does NOT typically provide funding for the following:
  • General operating expenses.
  • Capital requests for building and/or major improvements. Exceptions will be considered for equipment/supplies that are critical to the delivery of a program or service.
  • Legal aid societies, political, lobbying or advocacy groups.
  • Private schools.

    Grant applications are reviewed by the OMYF advisory board, with grant recommendations forwarded to the board of directors of the McCormick Tribune Foundation for review and final approval.

    The McCormick Tribune Foundation does not make grants to programs that would financially benefit the Orlando Magic.